Players expected to start for the Bulls have their names listed in bold on the roster distributed to the media along with the pregame notes. Before the Bulls played the Detroit Pistons in a preseason game Wednesday at the United Center Derrick Rose’s name conspicuously was in regular type.

In the minutes leading up to coach Tom Thibodeau’s pregame news conference that omission became the subject of conjecture. Maybe Thibodeau wanted Rose to get playing time with the second unit.

The pervasive feeling was one of skepticism after Rose was suspiciously absent from the preseason game Saturday against the Washington Wizards in Rio de Janeiro.

But any doubt was erased at least for now when Thibodeau announced Rose would start against the Pistons. He scored 22 points in the Bulls’ 96-81 victory.

But Rose’s first game on the United Center floor since he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on April 28 2012 did little to answer any questions about whether he’ll be able to sustain success over the long haul.